Aston Martin Vantage DBS Superleggera

Smoking gun: The Aston Martin Vantage 007 Edition, left, and the DBS Superleggera 007 Edition. Image: Supplied

It’s Martin, Aston Martin: 007 memories stirred with range shake-up

Aston Martin unleashes smoking-hot, exclusive new 007 Edition sports cars to mark the release of 25th James Bond film.

Aston Martin Vantage DBS Superleggera

Smoking gun: The Aston Martin Vantage 007 Edition, left, and the DBS Superleggera 007 Edition. Image: Supplied

There are not many supercars that can wear a dashing international spy quite like an Aston Martin, and there are even less that can carry off a 007 agent – with just the right amount of razor-sharp bravado and sophisticated flair.

This — and finally confirmation that it is indeed the “motor that maketh the man” and not the man the motor — emerged from a “top secret” dossier which was leaked to the international media this week.

Top secret dossier: 007 Edition sports cars on their way

And now the secret is out. Aston Martin is set to release two new exclusive 007 Edition sports cars to celebrate the release of the 25th James Bond film, No Time to Die.

Created by the brand’s bespoke division Q by Aston Martin, the Vantage 007 Edition pays homage to The Living Daylights Aston Martin V8, while the DBS Superleggera 007 Edition showcases sumptuous No Time To Die specification.

And for Aston Martin and James Bond fans who will no doubt be celebrating the news with martinis – they are both models simply to die for.

Announcing the stirring news this week, the carmaker said the two new models were as a result of a collaboration between Aston Martin and EON Productions, the company that produces the James Bond films with Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios.

‘Aston-packed’ spy movie

No Time to Die will be released around the world in November 2020 and will feature no fewer than four iconic Aston Martin sports cars:

  • The iconic DB5;
  • The classic Aston Martin V8;
  • The brand’s latest super GT, DBS Superleggera; and
  • The exceptional Aston Martin Valhalla – the company’s forthcoming mid-engined hypercar.

The two special editions that celebrate the release of No Time to Die — each of which is being offered in limited numbers to buyers around the world from Monday 17 August — have been carefully designed and crafted by the experts in Aston Martin’s bespoke division: Q by Aston Martin.

Aspiring to offer the ultimate in bespoke personalisation services, Q by Aston Martin delivers both carefully curated special editions such as these, as well as the opportunity for individual owners to embark on the creation of utterly individual sports cars via the Q by Aston Martin Commission service.

Sporty and aggressive: The Vantage 007

The first of the two models is the Vantage 007 Edition, inspired by the original Aston Martin V8 which made its 007 debut in The Living Daylights in 1987 and also features in No Time to Die.

The movie sees James Bond uncover the car from his personal lock-up in London.

Unique exterior styling treatment

Building on the formidable sporting style and aggressive performance of the regular Vantage, the new car features unique exterior styling treatments led by a bespoke mesh grille with chrome bezel that references the look of the brand’s classic V8.

Further styling details include a dashed yellow diffuser inspired by the hazard stripes on the film car’s rockets.

The Vantage 007 Edition can even be delivered with a set of ‘The Living Daylights‘-inspired limited edition skis and ski rack – referencing the ‘winterised’ V8 saloon from the film.

The car will be delivered in authentic Cumberland Grey exterior paint colour, while the interior will be presented in obsidian black leather and dark chrome with 007 branding applied on the centre console of cars equipped with a manual gearbox.

Subtle film reference

The sun visors of all the cars will carry another subtle film reference in the shape of an embroidered radio station frequency – 96.60 (FM) – which 007 buffs will know was the Russian police frequency Bond used to aid his escape in The Living Daylights.

The seats themselves feature unique heritage fluting reminiscent of that seen in the V8, along with carbon fibre seat backs and, in a particularly detailed nod to the 1980s film, the outline of cello “f holes” inspired by the memorable cello chase scene featuring James Bond (Timothy Dalton) and Kara Milovy (Maryam D’Abo).

True Bond style: ‘Weapons and devices’

The driver can indulge themselves further with a laser-etched gadget plaque that references the various weapons and devices seen on the original film car.

These included a rocket motor, missiles, lasers, a targeting display and ski outriggers. Cross hairs etched onto the car’s paddle shift gear levers allude to the missile guidance system seen in the film, too.

Available as a manual or automatic, the Vantage 007 Edition also boasts a side strake Vantage badge and is limited to 100 units globally.

Aston Martin vice-president and chief creative officer Marek Reichman said:

“Creating a 007 Edition is always an exciting challenge as we work to develop and style a car that embodies the legend of James Bond. It is an honour to apply carefully judged 007-inspired styling to our sports cars, which gives our customers the opportunity to own a unique piece of both cinematic and automotive history.”

‘Muscular’ DBS Superleggera

To celebrate the James Bond debut of the range-topping Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, a second unique 007 Edition has been created.

Strictly limited to just 25 production cars available worldwide and featuring the same specification as the muscular DBS Superleggera featured in the upcoming film, the car has a suitably menacing road presence.

Greatest torque of them all

The 715bhp provided by the DBS Superleggera’s 5.2-litre V12 twin-turbocharged engine is befitting of the car’s range-topping status while its torque peak, at 900Nm, is not only substantial in its own right but, as things currently stand, the greatest torque figure for any roadgoing Aston Martin yet produced.

Raft of styling and design enhancements

To this potent mix, the DBS Superleggera 007 Edition adds a raft of styling and design enhancements that further elevate its appeal.

The car sports special Ceramic Grey exterior paint with the roof, mirror caps, splitter, diffuser and rear Aeroblade IITM featured in black-tinted carbon fibre. Also unique to the 007 Edition are visually striking Gloss Black diamond-turned Y-Spoke 21-inch wheels.

This special edition also features a 007 fender badge, finished in chrome with a black enamel infill and Stainless Steel Silver 007 foil applied to the rear spoiler blade.

‘Dark, brooding, leather-clad environment’

Inside, the cockpit of this DBS Superleggera is a dark, brooding, leather-clad environment with flashes of red detailing the outline of the seats.

Subtle 007 branding can be found on the door cards, armrest buckle badge and on the rear sub-woofer cover. The car is finished with a sill plaque that recognises it is one of just 25 DBS Superleggera 007 Editions.

The DBS Superleggera 007 Edition, with a recommended retail price from £279 025 (about R6.4 million), and the Vantage 007 Edition, with a recommended retail price from £161 000 (about R3.7 million), are on sale separately now. First deliveries will begin in Q1 2021.

The Aston Martin files

  • The original Aston Martin DBS made its first Bond appearance in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (OHMSS) in 1969.
  • To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the film, Aston Martin created a now sold-out special edition DBS Superleggera in 2019, inspired by the Olive Green DBS from OHMSS.
  • Aston Martin Lagonda is a luxury automotive group focused on the creation of exclusive cars and SUVs.
  • The iconic Aston Martin brand fuses the latest technology, exceptional hand craftsmanship and timeless design to produce models, including the Vantage, DB11, DBS Superleggera and the new SUV, DBX.
  • Lagonda was founded in 1899 and Aston Martin in 1913. The two brands came together in 1947 when both were purchased by the late Sir David Brown.